Ryan Kaufman '24 Recruiting Profile

I am a deceptively fast goalkeeper, as unlike most soccer players specializing in long-distance running, I specialize in sprinting. Because I know this about myself, I usually have my defenders play a high line, so that I can intercept any through balls the opposition tries to play. Because of my background in defense, I am able to make smart challenges and communicate to my defenders the important things happening around them.

For the longest time, I was unable to kick the ball in the air, so I would often have one of the center-backs take goal kicks for me. Because of this, I have put a lot of practice into kicking the ball on goal kicks, and I am now able to take goal kicks all the way to the halfway line with either foot. I have recently started putting the ball in the middle of the 6-yard box on goal kicks, so that I can kick the ball to either side. It seems that I am the only goalkeeper in the division who can do this because the opposing team never expects it. When I punt the ball for the strikers to run onto, it would be very abnormal for the ball to touch the ground before the opponent's 45-yard line. My all-time longest punt has made past the opponent's 35, but it was during solo practice, and not recorded.

Strengths:

Symmetrical Distribution with feet, Side volleys, Positioning, Communication, Knowledge of own abilities, Comedic quips that aren't really helpful but nevertheless boost morale, Mental fortitude, Pattern recognition, Playing as sweeper-keeper,

Things I am actively working to improve:

Throwing, Side volleys, 1v1s, Penalties, and Calculating trajectories of crosses and corner kicks